Paul Rogers

What I'm Doing Now

2009-02-04T22:59:00.000-08:00

Wow, I know it has been forever and a day since my last posting on this little life blog of mine.

Where to start is a talk in itself... I suppose I could start where I left off, SB.

Many of you, I'm sure, are wondering what happened to me. Don't worry I didn't fall off the face of the earth, although it feels like it:)

Due to a lack of video needs inside Show It Fast I was laid off on good terms. With much help from David Jay I started what is now Photographer's Reel. The expense of SB was a factor in my move but more then that I think the Lord had other plans. DJ had given me a gracious two months to figure out what I wanted to do. The day before my rent was due I called Mary for the first time. That night for 5 hours we talked about alot of things one of which a potential move to NY. She was in TX at the time but was moving to NY to work at a camp in January. The camp needed one more person on staff for the winter session and she encouraged me to give them a call. The very next morning, the day my rent was due for the next month, I called the camp and talked with the director. After a long conversation, which I won't go into, I made the decision to join Mary in NY at the Camp. That day I told my land lady I was leaving and seeing that I had already paid my last months rent in my deposit I pocketed the rent due. I sold my dirt bike and began to get ready for my move.

I left SB just after the SB Tea Fires hit and headed out to Texas to meet, though unknown at the time, the most amazing girl of my short lived life, Mary Segreti. You most likely have seen her picture and know who she is by now but for a quick update for the ones who have been left in the dark by my abrupt and speedy disappearance. She is 21, from a family of 12 children and the only girl with 11 brothers, she is a Massage Therapist by profession, an unbelievable cook and the most amazing friend. In everything her passion is to honor and serve the Lord Jesus Christ with her life and all to His glory. Everyday she pushes me closer to the Lord, encouraging me to remain fully committed not to His will but to Him.

Meeting Mary in Texas was so much fun. When she stepped out of the car to say hello for the first time, my heart was racing and I had to double check and see if I was still alive. Did I die in the SB fires, was this all a dream? No, she was really there, waiting with the most beautiful smile. I couldn't believe she liked me and still can't to this day.

Mary was living at her brother and sister-in-law's house in TX helping take care of their little 1 year old child. I stayed in TX for a week and hung out with Mary who was to become and now is my best friend. We went to our first ever NHL Stars game and walked around Dallas TX we cooked alot at home watched movies, stayed up way to late talking about life and had fellowship in His word. That week was awesome but soon came to an end. I had to fly home to KC to spend Thanksgiving with my family. We were sad to part but were eagerly looking forward to her arrival in KC two weeks later. We said our goodbyes and I was off.

When I arrived in KC, I was met by a nation of people AKA my family. I hadn't seen my rather large family of 14 in some time and was happy to be home. I arrived in KC just before Thanksgiving and was able to spend an entire month there. Thanksgiving was a blast, seeing all the relatives again and just being able to chill with my family was really great. Mary and I continued to talk every night looking desperately to her arrival in KC. The time came slow, but it came:) Mary flew in on December 12, 08 a Friday, one of the best Fridays of my life. Her flight was coming in at 11am and I was going to meet her at her gate. I went to Starbucks with my computer and started to get some e-mailing done, it was 10:30 and I had a little bit of time. Her gate was only about 30 feet from me and I was just going to hop up when the time came. I was really excited to there just as she got off the plane! So it's 10:35 and I get this call, look at my phone and it's Mary. "Paul I'm here" I look up to see her heading right towards me. I'm confused, caught off guard, kinda feeling stupid for not meeting her at the gate but when I saw her smile I knew she didn't care. She was in her comfortable sweats, a sweatshirt and looking cuter then ever. I got up walked over and gave her a hug. "Mary!" I said, excited to see her, then in a disappointed voice told her how I was planing to meet her at the gate. She told me her plane landed a half an hour early and that she even had time for a bathroom break before heading my way. I smiled and inside felt like a million bucks because my best friend was right next to me once again and we had to weeks to to hang out. During those two weeks, Mary met alot of people, relatives mostly, went to alot of dinners, one of them being with my parents, which was awesome, and just chilled. Mary soon left KC and flew home to her family in VA. We were both once again sad to leave but also like before, we were looking forward to Dec 27 the day I flew out to meet her family and parents.

I spent Christmas at my parents house and it was wonderful. My dad was the best he cleared out his little office and let me setup my editing stuff for the month so I could work. As the holidays rolled on I started to realize that this could be my last Christmas mornings spent at my parents house it kind of made me sad. Reflecting back on my childhood I wished I would have soaked it all in a bit more. I knew I could never get it all back for life happens even to the best of us. Christmas came and went and I was off once again but this time to VA to meet Mary's family.

I flew into VA on Dec 27 and arrived around 10pm to be greeted by Michael (Mary's Brother) and Mary. Mary looked beautiful, she was waring a white blouse with blue pin stripes. She had her dark blue jeans on and black boots with the pant leg pulled over the boot. She looked stunning! Her hair was all done up and the smile on her face was from ear to ear:) I felt bad because when I saw her I nearly forgot to say hey to Michael. After saying our hello's Mary informed me that she had gotten chocolate on her shirt at the bottom. I laughed and said if she hadn't pointed it out I would never have seen it....lol... funny memory:) We waited for my bags to arrive for over an hour but all three talked to pass the time. The bags finally came and we were off to Mary's parents home. Mary pulled up in her little car/tin can, packed up my stuff and headed out. The drive was a little over an hour but we made it. Meeting the parents was really great. Her parents remind me so much of my own.... must be a big family thing. Both her Dad and Mom (who they all call Mop and Pop) talked to us till late hours in the morning. After everything was said we went to bed. To make a long note a bit shorter I'll be less detailed. I had such a wonderful time in VA... I met all the brothers younger then Mary. I have to say the time was interesting, for the first time in my life i realized what it was like for someone to get bombarded by question and have their name be called out at least 15 times every minute. People always said it was like this at my house but I never understood...now I do:) Don't get me wrong though, I had a blast hanging out with all of them. We went hiking, played lots of chess and checkers, answered lots of questions, swapped stories, jumped on the tramp and talked some more. The week flew by really fast and it was almost time for Mary and I to be off again to up State NY to meet her older brothers. I spent the New Year with the younger brothers and her parents, watched some movies and then hit the sack. Early the next morning I went out to breakfast with Mr. Segreti to talk about camp, Mary, the future, the Lord and all that stuff. I was a bit nerves at first as I'm sure all boyfriends are when meeting the girls dad. We went to a small breakfast place and actually had a rather wonderful conversation. We mostly talked about Mary and how the Lord needs to play the biggest role in our relationship. I found him to be so much like my own dad it was unbelievable. His love for the Lord and for his daughter was obvious and encouraging. After we ate he insisted on paying for the meal and we were off. We also talked alot in the car on that way back. All in all I came away very encouraged and blessed. Just before heading out I also got to talk to Mary's mom. She gave me this little book that I would highly recommend it's called "Victory in Christ" by Charles Trumble. She too greatly encouraged me and wished us well. Mary and I said our goodbyes and were off with Michael driving and us two smashed in the back.

The drive was long but wonderful... We listened to music, talked, sat quietly, fell asleep, woke up, talked, stopped for lunch, went to the bathroom, etc.... After a long ride we finally made it to her older brothers' house. Meeting them was a blast... we had alot of really great conversations, play X-Box, went to the CITY (which was AWESOME!) and just chilled. I would go into more detail but this note is really long and I'm tired cus its late. After the week ended Mary, Michael and I all headed to our final destination for the following 3 months. We arrived at the Camp around 7pm and that my friend will be another post...

The camp is where we are at now and have been for the last month... I'll post again in more detail regarding what we do here.

God has been teaching us so much and I can't wait to see what He has in the future,

Paul

Update From TX!!!:)

2008-11-21T21:19:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone,

Sorry for not writing for so long, I have been so busy. My time with Showit Fast www.showitfast.com has come to an end and I'm moving to up state NY. This last year with DJ and Showit was such an awesome experience, God taught me so much as far as business, trust and true dependence on God's ever abiding love. I wouldn't trade this year for anything, it was awesome!!! I'll miss everyone so much but especially Crystal. Crystal is Awesome!!! She was like my big sister always a true friend.

I have transitioned into running my own company Photographer's Reel (www.photographersreel.com) and can't wait to launch. The launch date has been push back due the the SB Tea Fires that hit last week but is coming soon.

Right now I'm in TX visiting my good friend Mary Segreti.... My time here has been so wonderful, we stayed up way to late talking about life and how the Lord has been so good. I'll be here till the 25th of Nov. and then I'll be flying home:):( mixed feelings.

Today we went down to Waco TX and visited Micah Bender, Mary's brother James' fiancee.... Check out the awesome pics:)

2008-10-30T07:56:00.000-07:00

My buddy AVG juts sent over some pics taken on his I-phone while dirt biking the other day.

Awesome time!!!

Left My First Love

2008-10-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt so overwhelmed with life, in constant worry of what "could" happen?

Life has been that way for me...

This last year has been full of so much opportunity and blessing. Every day God has been so faithful and overwhelmingly forgiving of all my mistakes and less then perfect life towards Him.

2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

It's so easy to get caught up in business, opportunity, life and just the everyday needs that I forget to remember the reason for which I live. I so often forget the purpose for which Jesus Christ laid down His life and so graciously called me to Himself, so that He might dwell within.

Romans 2:4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?

If ever this verse is true it's now. Life has seemed like a whirl wind in a sea of opportunity and business but in the midst of it all, somewhere, I "lost my first love". Beginning to focus more on the opportunity He put before me and less and less on the God who provided the opportunity. My prayers became more self centered, focused the worries of tomorrow, with little to no thought for the lost or the furthering of His kingdom. Saying with my life "God provide and I'll serve" and He says "no, serve and I'll provide".

Revelation 2:2-5 ...I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false; and you have perseverance and have endured for My name's sake, and have not grown weary. 'But I have this against you, that you have left your first love 'Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first...Revelation 2: 2-5

With everything thats going on, these self centered prayers have become more and more prevalent. I found them full of worry, begging God, rather then contentment and trust. I developed an attitude of thinking I deserved it, rather then an attitude of thankfulness and rest in His perfect plan. If the Lord lifts you up, does He not have the right to bring you down again?

I ran across an about me section on a friends Facebook page, it reads.... "About me: Its not about me. Its about Him. Not my will be done but His. "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."

It hit me hard when I read this and made me sad to think that I had so slowly, slipped into this disgusting, self centered view of life.

So pray for me, that more than business, more than opportunity, and more than tomorrow, pray that I remember the purpose for which I have been called and that I depend fully on His abiding strength that dwells within. Pray that I continue to realize the faithfulness of an ever loving God and that I continue to serve Him, moment by moment, trusting that He knows and is more then able.

Ephesians 3:14-21 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21

Psalm 1
How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD knows the way of the righteous,
But the way of the wicked will perish.

I thought I was going to die!!!

2008-10-23T21:22:00.000-07:00

5:30am, Wake up... I put on two pares of pants a long sleeve t-shirt, a long sleeve sport shirt and a sweatshirt. Threw my shoes on and headed out the door to meet Andrew (my dirt biking buddy)

It was a beautiful morning out, the sun hadn't come up yet, the night sky was clear, the air was crisp and you could see a billion stars.

I was meeting Andrew or (AVG is what we call him) down at DJ's place at 6:00am. I pulled up to see him standing there waiting for me, we gave our quick, "what up's", and headed up the mountain to start our long morning of dirt biking on the back trails of the SB mountains.

Driving along the cliffs as the sun was coming up over SB was breathtaking. I know I talk about how awesome the view is from up there during the day but during sunrise it's stunning. I don't even know if I could describe it well enough... you will just have to see it some time.

So we hit the trails, the sun had come up by this time and we headed off onto this gravel/dirt trail ...it was pretty fun. The back end of my bike was sliding around all over the place and we were ripping it up... so i thought. I pretty much trailed AGV the whole time.

AGV has been dirt biking since he was 5 and is way more experienced then I am, to say the least. He is about my hight but more stocky. He owns a Honda Enduro 400cc and I own a Honda Eduro 600cc.

So we are whipping around these corners at about 25 mph but I'm just seeing the dust of AVG's bike. I come to this part where it looks like he turned left so I turn left into a dead end and my bike slides out from underneath me, I hit the ground and rolled to a stop. After AVG didn't see me for a while he biked it back to see what was up. When I hit, I bent my clutch handle pretty bad. After a lot of thinking, we figured out how to set it mostly straight again and then we were off. I thought to myself "well this isn't that bad... I mean it could be worse". Little did I know that was the easy part.

AGV pulls off on to another side trail that was TOTALLY LEGIT!!! The ground was soft with dust, mixed with rocks and little boulders all over the place and small crevices that had dug into the ground because of rain fall. There was no consistency to the path, on second your good and the next you think you're going to die. And these arn't flat plains like in KS, I'm talking mountains, super steep inclines that you never thought a bike could go up.

So we head off onto this trail and start gunning it around these bends. At the base of our first hill AVG guns it and lands at the top. I tried doing the same thing got caught in a rut and dumped my bike. AVG comes down and tells me how to take these hills. "you have to throw it in second gear and just gun it... don't let off the throttle". "Right!!!" I thought to myself. I tried psyching myself up for the climb, jumped on my bike and tried it again.... get half way up, same thing, I dump the bike. On the third try I finally got up the hill. After that first hill I though maybe I had the hang of things and was ready for another challenge. I wasn't ready... We start heading down a small hill to a flat plain and in front of us sat another hill. This one has huge, rocks on both sides with the same soft, dry dirt on the ground, mixed with stones the size of you head. AVG tell me to go first so he can watch me. I gun it in first gear...I'm zipping up the mountain with dirt flying everywhere, my back end it all over the place but I'm making it!!! Climbing, climbing, the front end of my bike goes down and then pops straight back up again, I don't have time to think and I can't stop or I'll fall back down the hill, I go airborne for a second and then land sideways which throws me off the bike. The bike idles for a bit and then dies. I'm laying on the ground thinking "dude I don't know about this!!!" The good new was, after the dust cleared, I made it to the top ... SWEET!!! AVG comes running up the hill asking me if I'm alright...."yeah I'm cool" I responded. I jumped back on the bike and headed off again...

The rest of the day was pretty much the same, falling down the mountain, falling up the mountain, the bike falling on me, all in all I think I bit the dust like 15 to 20 times. I don't know that I've ever been so exhausted in my life. Every muscle in my body said quit, I felt like I was going to throw up and I had a headache!!! This was not my day.... My right foot is slightly swollen, my right arm is all scratched up, my left elbow is swollen, just under my right knee is swollen and my thighs are all blue from bruising. But the good thing is I didn't break any bones and I'm alive:)

I cancelled my 10am hang gliding lesson for Saturday.... Almost dying twice in one week seems to much for me:) I'll do that another time... Right now I just need to recover from this.

What a day!!!

Check these guys out... I found this video on YouTube... My falls weren't quite this bad but I feel their pain!!!

http://video.google.com/videosearch?um=1&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en-us&q=dirtbiking&ndsp=21&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iv#

Go into all the world...

2008-10-12T01:50:00.000-07:00

Tonight was such a bummer of a night for me. My family back home along with many of my friends, all trucked it up to Princeton Missouri for the yearly bonfire at the Donnell's farm. I'm missing all the big events:(

I can't legally ride my dirt bike at night yet, so after watching the unusually large waves for SB, I headed back up to my little tent like house just as the sun was going down.

I walked though the door and was greeted by a rather catastrophic mess and rather odd smell. My place (as my mom would say) "looked like a tornado hit it". After checking e-mails and making a few business related calls I looked around again and decided that this is no way for a 22 year old to live. So after getting over the fact that my house wasn't going to clean itself, I put on an audio book "Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secrets" and began the daunting task of "PROJECT - DEEP CLEAN".

While folding my clean cloths, that had been sitting on the floor for 2 days, picking up trash and piling dirty dishes, I heard the reader say something that was very convicting.

Hudson Taylor was addressing a church in England just before going back to China to continue God's work of spreading the gospel to those who had never heard. He was explaining how there were regions as large as England that had not one preacher and then he said this... "It will not due for you to say that you have no special call to China. With these facts before you you need rather to wonder weather you have a special call to stay home. If in the sight of God you can not say you are sure you have a special call to stay at home why are you disobeying the Savior's plan and His command to go. Why are you refusing to come to the help of the Lord again of the All Mighty. If however it is perfectly clear that duty not inclination, not pleasure, not business, detains you at home. Are you laboring in prayer for those needy ones as you might. Is you influence used to advance the cause of God among them? Are you means largely employed as they should be in helping forward their salvation.

I found this convicting for me because I have always looked at it the other way around. It's not a "SPECIAL" calling by God to be in the work of His ministry. No, but rather it is the direct calling of all who are in Christ."

It may not be in China or in some far off land but until we can say that all around us are saved the call remains.

In the darkest of places, even a small light shines bright.

And He (Jesus) said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes"...Romans 1:16

John 3:16-21
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

Just a thought,
Paul

Swimming The Mile

2008-10-09T15:24:00.000-07:00

Well for sometime now I have been telling people that I've been swimming a mile and I was pretty proud of myself too. So recently I went home to check my distance on google... I sadly found out that what I thought was a mile was really only about half. I was a little disappointed but not discouraged. I chalked out a mile on Cabrillo Blvd, the road that runs parallel to the beach, using google maps. Now that I knew what the distance was the challenge was on.

I set out a little reluctant today, seeing that I haven't swam for about 2 weeks now, due to being to busy. The first 100 yards out was the hardest part, the water was cold, I knew I had a long stretch ahead of me and never having swam this far before I wasn't sure I could make it. Once something is in my head though and the challenge has been set, it's hard for me to let it go. I pushed through the first grueling 100 yards, my blood began to flow a bit faster which warmed up my body a bit. Once I got my breathing down it seemed pretty relaxing and I was able to get my mind off the swim and think about other things. Arm over arm I pushed on, distracting myself with thinking about life. This method of distraction worked for most of the way but the last 1/4 mile was a struggle. The ocean was covered with a thick haze which blocked the sun and made the water seem so much colder. I started to rationalize to myself why I should give up, "Paul it's really cold out, I think sharks swim in cold water, you are going to cramp up, just quit you can always come back and try again later" crazy what the mind tries to tell you when things get tough. Despite the urging of my entire body to stop, I pushed on... I thought if I've gone this far I might as well finish. When I hit my mile mark I gave myself one last push and swam into the beach. My legs and arms were so tight but it felt good... I know swimming a mile doesn't really say much in the grand scheme of things but it's a good lesson learn, that when times are tough and and every part of you says give up, don't. Push through cus in the end, it's worth it. I swam non stop for about 45 minutes, the longest I have swam to date.

Here is a picture of the spot that I always swim at and the distance marked out on the closest road.

Project Green Light

2008-10-08T00:11:00.000-07:00

Today DJ and I talked about a new company concept called "Photographers Reel".

Photographers Reel is being created to service the ever growing need of good, crisp, effective video media in the industry around the world. It's been in concept stages for some time and was given the green light today.

Learning to run a successful company is going to be as exciting as it will be challenging. These next few weeks are going to be a lot of work, so pray that God grant me success and that I depend solely on His ever abiding strength that works mightily within me.

A company blog (photoreelblog.com) will be posted in a few days so that you can keep up to date with what's happening.

I'm excited to see what God has in store,
Paul

2008-10-06T08:18:00.000-07:00

-So that you may know that it is I-

2008-10-05T07:47:00.000-07:00

Isaiah 45:1-3
Thus says the LORD to Cyrus His anointed,
Whom I have taken by the right hand,
To subdue nations before him
And to loose the loins of kings;
To open doors before him so that gates will not be shut:
"I will go before you and make the rough places smooth;
I will shatter the doors of bronze and cut through their iron bars.
"I will give you the treasures of darkness
And hidden wealth of secret places,
So that you may know that it is I,
The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Do you not know? Have you not heard?
The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth
Does not become weary or tired
His understanding is inscrutable.
He gives strength to the weary,
And to him who lacks might He increases power.
Though youths grow weary and tired,
And vigorous young men stumble badly,
~Yet those who wait for the LORD
Will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles,
They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.

QUOTE

2008-10-02T11:52:00.000-07:00

A day is a frustration, a year is a melody.

Up Early

2008-09-30T07:26:00.001-07:00

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; -Philippians 1:9-10-

I'm up early getting ready to go on a bike ride, it's beautiful out today... Always is.

Born Again

2008-09-29T11:33:00.000-07:00

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

"How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!"

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."

"How can this be?" Nicodemus asked.

"You are Israel's teacher," said Jesus, "and do you not understand these things? I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

John 3:1-21

The Inevitable Happened

2008-09-27T17:37:00.001-07:00

Well as you all know I've been doing some extensive swimming these days. I headed out today to conquer another mile in the deep dark ocean but about a 1/2 mile into the swim I realized my phone was in my pocket. I mean I can understand, it's always with me and naturally wants always to be at my side... but the mile swim was to long for the little phone and it died:( Lost a good companion in the ocean today... so sad.

So if you need to get a hold of me, you can email me at paul.pr.rogers@gmail.com. My new phone will be here on Wednesday of next week so if you could, give me your phone numbers again so I can add them to my phone list.

Thanks,
Paul

Looking Back

2008-09-25T00:23:00.000-07:00

I remember writing a friend long ago, saying "I have found it encouraging to write down the prayers and petitions that I lay before God, so as to not forget His guiding hand in my life." Tonight I found myself reading through some of my old posts and I ran across this one that really encouraged me.

I posted this back on SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2007

-WHY DOES GOD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE-

I found this passage very encouraging yesterday...

Why does God at times whittle us down to nothing, making it truly impossible for us to cary out His will? Doesn't He know what we need in order to do all that He asks? Here in Judges we see Gideon, least in Manasseh, and youngest in his father's house, asked by the Lord to go and deliver his people from the hand of Midian. Gideon gathers 32,000 men for the fight and God says "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.'' So God whittles the army down from 32,000 to 300 men. God did this for the sole purpose of making them realize that it's not the number that won the battle but the Lord.

When God calls you to do something and dwindles all your resources , don't worry. Learn not to trust in who you are or what you have, but rather in who God is. Not wishing for us to boast in anything but Him and Him alone. He will accomplish His will and He will win every battle that He calls us to fight.

Colossians 1:20
...I labor, Striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

Judges 7: 1-7 (you should read the whole story)

Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him, rose early and camped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.' "Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, 'Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.'" So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained. Then the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many; bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there. Therefore it shall be that he of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go with you; but everyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go." So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink." Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. The LORD said to Gideon, "I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midian

-Winston Churchill-

2008-09-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

I started reading some of these quotes by Winston Churchill... intriguing.

The first quality that is needed is audacity.
-Winston Churchill-

Play the game for more than you can afford to lose... only then will you learn the game.
-Winston Churchill-

Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.
-Winston Churchill-

The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you can see.
-Winston Churchill-

The price of greatness is responsibility.
-Winston Churchill-

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.
-Winston Churchill-

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
-Winston Churchill-

Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference.
-Winston Churchill-

Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.
-Winston Churchill-

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.
-Winston Churchill-

Difficulties mastered are opportunities won.
-Winston Churchill-

Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others.
-Winston Churchill-

Great and good are seldom the same man.
-Winston Churchill-

However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.
-Winston Churchill-

I am easily satisfied with the very best.
-Winston Churchill-

I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.
-Winston Churchill-

I never worry about action, but only about inaction.
-Winston Churchill-

Kites rise highest against the wind - not with it.
-Winston Churchill-

Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of the time he will pick himself up and continue on.
-Winston Churchill-

Tarantulas On The Move!!!

2008-09-18T00:20:00.001-07:00

So I guess Tarantulas are on the move here in SB... Yeah I know, crazy!!! I did a bit of reading on these things because I almost ran one over on my dirt bike the other day.

...each year, thousands of tarantulas brave countless dangers as they migrate to their ancestral breeding grounds somewhere in northern Santa Barbara county. The journey, which is believed to span some 50 miles across treacherous terrain and several county highways, is one of the most unusual mass migrations. Once thought to be only myth, the Nojoqui Tarantulas have recently been rediscovered and their great migration the source of scientific wonder and amazement....

These things are no joke, they're HUGE!!! This spider was bigger than a mouse... I have never seen a spider so big in my life.

A Safe Pasture

2008-09-12T03:45:00.000-07:00

Psalm 37

1 Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

3 Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:

6 He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

9 For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.

11 But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;

13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.

15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken.

16 Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;

17 for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18 The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.

19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20 But the wicked will perish:
The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish—vanish like smoke.

21 The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;

22 those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those he curses will be cut off.

23 If the LORD delights in a man's way,
he makes his steps firm;

24 though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25 I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.

26 They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.

27 Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.

28 For the LORD loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

29 the righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.

30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.

31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.

32 The wicked lie in wait for the righteous,
seeking their very lives;

33 but the LORD will not leave them in their power
or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34 Wait for the LORD
and keep his way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35 I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

36 but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37 Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future for the man of peace.

38 But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40 The LORD helps them and delivers them;
he delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

What I'm up to...

2008-09-08T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

I know I haven't blogged in a while and I apologize. I want to say that I have been really busy with editing and moving.. and I have been but I also know that blogging only takes like 5 minutes a day... so I really don't have an excuse:)

Anyway, to update you on whats happening...

1. I'm in the middle of editing the Free To Succeed Tour DVD. It's looking awesome and is going to be great... We even have some funny extra features that are being thrown in there.... Exclusive footage you can only see on the DVD:)

2. I finally moved into my own place... well I haven't moved yet but I'm in the process. I went out and bought a refrigerator, fan, cups, dinner set, toaster oven, and ummm I think that was it. I moved that in but still have to get all my stuff from DJ's over there. It isn't much just my cloths and the computer. Here are some pictures of the place from a few days ago. It looks different now but I think you will get the idea:) I'll worn you though, its not the best place in the world but I like it and it's wonderful for now:)

Sweet!!!

P.S. I went on a run this mornign:) I normally swim but today I ran because it was cold out:(

Pre Order Your DVD Now!!!

2008-09-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

No Jk...You don't have to order a DVD... Although I have to say, I saw the show 8 times while on the road with the "Free To Succeed Tour" and loved it more and more each time. The DVD is well worth every dime:)

Check out the highlight reel, pretty cool!!!

http://getit.davidjay.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=84

I'll update you all more on what's going on in my life later today.

God bless,
Paul

-Gleam of Dawn-

2008-08-25T10:05:00.000-07:00

The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day. Proverbs 4:18.

Back to SB

2008-08-23T17:27:00.001-07:00

I'm headed back to SB to get some editing done. We filmed the show in Chicago and need it edited before the tour is over so we can sell it to those who didn't get the chance to go.

It has been a long day!!!

Before I tell you about today I'll tell you about a funny story that happened yesterday.... So our bus was parked at this hotel in Ohio, I get out to grab a change of cloths and see that there is another tour bus behind us. Well come to find out it was the Jonas Brothers' tour bus... thought it was kind of cool. Well they leave and a car pulls up and we hear a knock on the door. I open the bus door to see a bunch of 16 year old girls all packed in this little car that is covered with "I love The Jonas Brothers" paint... they ask me if I know where their bus is and I told them that they just left. They were very disappointed but then they brightened up and asked if they could take a picture with me. I told them that I had told the Jonas Brothers that I would let them have all the publicity, they groaned, I laughed and they got back in there car and drove away. I thought it was pretty funny...lol

Today was long... I woke up thinking we had arrived at our destination and started packing my stuff because I was flying back to SB in a few hours. Jay (our bus driver) got back to the bus and told me that our alternator got really hot, blew up and melted our battery. We were stopped at the bus repair station trying to get someone to work on Saturday and fix it. Come to find out we were 50 miles from LaGuardia Airport and my flight was in 2 hours. The taxi cab wanted $120 for the trip and I said forget it:) I called American Airlines and had my flights transfered to Newark Airport, which was only 20 miles away, got a cab for $65 and headed out. My flight took off at 1:20pm and headed for TX. I was so tired that I missed take off... love when that happens:) I woke up mid flight to find out we were in the air and half way there. Landed in Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, ran to my next gate and found out that my flight wasn't till 6:45pm. So I ate some food, talked on the phone, slept on the floor, paid for some airport internet, and started writing about my day. During this post it started raining really hard and so my flight was delayed and now I'm just sitting here waiting to board.

The sun was out while it was raining... I took a pic:)

My Time In KC

2008-08-20T16:18:00.000-07:00

My time back home in KC was wonderful:)

The whole ShowIt bus crew came over to my parents house for dinner joined by a 20 thousand Rogers family members:) We ate dinner, celebrated Joseph's birthday party, played volleyball, ping pong, talked and just had a good time:)

I had such a wonderful time hanging out with my family again. It had been a long time. I met up with some of my good friends and also met some people I didn't know I knew:) To everyone who I saw but didn't get to speak to, I'm sorry. Maybe next time I come in town we can have a cup of tea, or maybe stop starving ourselves and have some dinner... or something:)... Anyway I guess I just wanted to say that I had a wonderful time and can't wait to come back to KC and visit again. As short as a time as it was, my visit was truly wonderful and very encouraging.

I'm on the bus in Chicago right now just hanging out trying to get some editing done.

I'll let you go but have a wonderful day and I miss you all so much.

Lord willing, I'll see you again in His timing,
Paul

P.S.
I forgot to tell you all...I CUT MY HAIR!!!

Coming Home:)

2008-08-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone, I'm coming home:)

For the last few days we have been hanging out here in Denver CO. It's freezing here, 50 degrees and raining:( We leave Denver tonight and head to my wonderful little home town "Kansas City":) As you know by now I'm from a really big family so as you can imagine heading out to SB to live on my own has really been a drastic change. I miss them all so much and can't wait to be with them all again soon. Sunday night everyone on the bus is headed over to my families house to have an Italian dinner and celebrate my little brother Joseph's Birthday, he is turning 10:) It's just going to be my family at dinner but it's still a lot of people... Dad, Mom, Luke and his wife Dayna, Mark, Me, Anna and her husband Bric, Ruth, Sarah, Caleb, Rachel, Mary, Isaac, Joseph and Lydia...thats my family.... The people on the bus that are coming are... DJ, Shyla, Jay (the bus driver) Jasmine, and Tod...I can't wait:)

God willing, I'll be home soon:)

We took these pics in the middle of the night last time I was in KC, so we look a bit rugged but who cares:)

On Eagles Wings

2008-08-14T00:40:00.000-07:00

I find when I put the Lord second in my life to everything else, when I take my eyes off of Christ and focus on what the world has to offer, I begin to worry. I worry about what tomorrow holds, I start to look to my own strengths and forget to remember all that Christ is and all the things He has already done. It is so easy to shift my sights from what Christ wants to what I want. Pray for me, that I not loose sight of that saving, abundant life in our savior, Jesus Christ.

I will go before you and will level the mountains I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. Isaiah 45:2

I miss, so much, the fellowship on Friday night. I miss you all so much.

I was reading through Isaiah 40 (one of my favorite chapters in all of scriptures) and couldn't get over the richness throughout its text.

To whom then will you liken Me that I would be his equal?" says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired His understanding is inscrutable. He gives strength to the weary, And to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, And vigorous young men stumble badly, Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.
Isaiah 40: 25-31

My old, sinful nature doesn't want to wait on the Lord... I've waited for so long. Pray that I remain in Him, fully dependent on His strength, obedient to all that He asks, trusting always in the fact that He knows and is purposeful in all that He does.

Psalm 103
Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the LORD, O my soul,  and forget not all his benefits-who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Two Days in Monterey:)

2008-08-10T15:10:00.000-07:00

Saturday we headed up to Monterey and Carmel, City-By-The-Sea.
Its little town on the coast and its so cool... I'll put up a video soon on the site.

I hadn't been to the beach to swim in a few days so I was dying to get off the bus and put in a good... you know... 3 to 4 mile swim...No JK...maybe half mile. Everyone on the bus told me the water was to cold here but I didn't care. They all went shopping and so I threw on some board shorts and headed off to the frigid beach. When I got to the shore line I flexed, which ripped off my shirt, seeing that I'm so ridiculously buff and ran into the ocean breaking through the thin layer of ice with every forward step:) Ok, ok...their was no ice but the flexing muscle, shirt ripping thing is totally true:) Anyway, the water was sooo cold but I pushed through and swam about a 1/2 mile. On my swim back to the beach, out of the corner of my eye, I saw behind me this black head pop up out of the water. At first I thought it was a guy swimming or something but it wasn't. I took a quick double look and saw that it was a sea lion about my size swimming after me five yards behind. I quickly started swimming back to the beach. For some reason I freaked out and attempted a mad dash back to safety. After the split second of freaking out, a movie clip ran through my head... I remembered seeing a sea lion swimming after this little penguin" and I thought to myself "dude this thing is going to bite me, I don't have a chance". Thankfully I never got bit. Sorry the story wasn't more exciting like... and then the sea lion took a big chunk out of my leg... but it was still pretty scary:)

The sea lion looked just like this but without the octopus...

That night after my swim, I showered up in the bus, caught a cab down to Carmel which was interesting... The cab guy didn't take credit cards and I didn't have cash so he told me I could buy him $15 worth of gas.. so I did:)... then met up with the rest of the group for a Chinese dinner. After dinner we walked around the town for a bit and then headed back to the bus to watch a movie. After the movie I was feeling a bit restless, so I took a walk out on the harbor, read through Isaiah 40, stared up at the stars for a bit and then watched this little stingray swim around below me in the water. After that I headed back to the bus to catch some sleep. Allie (DJ's girlfriend) was up reading her bible, so I stopped and had a wonderful little conversation with her and then I went back, jumped in my bunk and fell asleep.

I woke up today, went swimming again in the freezing ocean, grabbed a bite to eat on the dock and headed back to the bus for some more time on the road. We just dropped Allie off at her parents house and now we are headed up to San Francisco.

P.S.
My hair:)
I....didn't exactly cut it...Sorry to disappoint:) I thought about it and thought about it and decided not to. Getting it to this point was a lot of work and now to throw it all away in one cut just seemed so overwhelming. SORRY:)

Is Paul 12 or did he cut his hair?

2008-08-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

I don't know about my hair anymore.... I'm afraid to show you:) I think I look like I'm 12 when it's short:(

Should I cut my hair today?

2008-08-08T13:37:00.001-07:00

Ok so as you all know, my hair is getting really long!!! I'm debating cutting it today sometime while we are back in SB. I put two pictures up to show you what it look like short and what it looks like now:)

Tell me what you think?

Thanks

Life Today:)

2008-08-01T23:42:00.000-07:00

But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Reading this tonight reminded me of my sister Anna and our last time hanging out before she got married. She flew all the way out to Santa Barbara just to hang out with her big brother one last time while being single:) I miss her so much... Her husband Bric is an awesome guy and one of my best friends. I love them both so much!!! Anyway we just got back to the car after hanging out at the beach and opened my little bible to James 1 and read the whole chapter. I remember verses 21-25 really sticking out to the both of us. We talked about how often we say we trust God in certain arias and then turn right around and worry. We immediately forget the Lord and so often build our house on that "shifting sand". ...But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."Matthew 7: 26-27... The funny thing is that at times we know that we are not building on anything solid and yet we still chose to build there. Pray that I not be this double minded man but rather a man who allows the Holy Spirit to live in me, no matter what.

Life on the bus is going really well... We were in El Paso all day today just taking a break and relaxing. I woke up early this morning and ran about 4 miles in the hot desert sun. After my run I ate some breakfast, took a hot shower, worked on debugging my video camera, did 120 pushups with Brett, edited more all day, ate dinner (which was amazing!!! Thanks to Shyla:) and now I'm writing my blog post while driving down the road on our way to Phoenix. Busy day but nothing to exciting to report:) Our next show is in Phoenix tomorrow at 6 so pray it goes well:)

I'll leave you all at that and with the hope that you will have a wonderful day tomorrow:)

Thanks for reading,
Paul

P.S.
Crystal had her surgery today and is out and at home recovering. She text me and said it all went well. So be sure to be praying for her, that she have a speedy and full recovery:) We miss you Crystal and can't wait for you to join us:)

Quick Update!!!

2008-07-31T01:41:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,
Well it has been a bit crazy here the last few days:) The bus is huge as you know. Starting from the back there is a master bedroom, four bunks, a large bath room, a kitchen with a stove and refrigerator, cabinets and a living room. I know you want pictures, so I really will try uploading some here in the future. You can always check out Shyla's pics of the day on her blog at http://shylasblog.com/.... Their are some great ones of me hitting the bus today:) Check it out!!!

Life on the bus so far has really been relaxing and enjoyable... although... don't tell anybody but I dumped some catchup on the the floor at dinner tonight:( NOT COOL!!!) We have e-net on the bus which rocks and allows me to post anytime, which is cool... I can't believe it!!! It's 2:49am, I'm sitting here at a small table with a large picture window on my right watching the cars fly by as we drive down the freeway at 65mph...Crazy!!! What a trip!!!

The shows are going really well....Praise the Lord....2 down 21 to go:) They are a ton of fun to shoot, interviewing the people on their way out is a blast!!! I've met so many really wonderful people. Each one with a new angle on what stuck out and a fresh perspective on how they plan on changing or improving their business. Even with the camera off we have had some wonderful conversations. I can't wait to get to the next city so I can interview more people and see the world from their point of view:)

Keep praying for me I need it:) God has been teaching me so much as far as trusting Him in everything. Life has been going really well and compared to many others in the world, I can't complain. I have to say though, beyond my job and every day life, there are always those intangibles that I can't control and it's these things that I must give to the Lord. My flesh wants to always fight it's way to the point of self sufficiency but I know that's not what Christ wants. He wants my dependance to be on Him, to always know that He is able and sufficient for tomorrow. Pray that this be my heart, so that no matter what, whether I'm on a tour bus traveling around the country, or in the heart of Africa eating next to nothing, my heart stays anchored to the Rock, Jesus Christ. I know that life may not always be this wonderful but what comforts me is that God will, for He never changes. He will always be there to carry my burdens and at times heal my broken heart. He is an amazing God, all we need do is trust Him and allow all that He is to be all that we are, Christ through us.

I should go to bed now, its late:) Keep praying for me,

Paul

What's Happening!!!

2008-07-19T21:47:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone,

So Crystal (DJ's assistant) tells me that as wonderful as my bible posts are, they can get a little, well rather, same old same old. She told me not to get her wrong and that she loved reading them but that I should also update people on what's happening:)

Life is going well... Andrew and Adam Smith came up all the way from Oklahoma to see me. They helped finish an After Effects project. If you haven't seen it, it's awesome!!!! Check it out:)

http://davidjay.com/ontrack/Showit/SS_VideoPreviews/SS_IntroPreview4FCPa.mov

We leave for our tour not this Monday but next. I think I fly to TX Monday afternoon:) Didn't think I was going to be excited about traveling on a bus for the next 2 months but I think I'm warming up to the idea:) I have a pic of the bus... Check it out at the bottom of this post:) It's huge!!!

Due to the upcoming trip and no big computer to work on, I have lots to finish. My "Mac Book Pro" can't do much as far as serious compositing, due to the lack of ram:( So I'm in a mad rush to finish all 23 city intros before we leave. Pray it gets done:)

Dirt bike up date:)
Having the bike has made for some of the most exciting times of my life. Im not just talking about the life threatening, close to death experiences... although those are pretty exciting!!! No, I'm happy to say their hasn't been many of those:) Praise the Lord:) I would totally recommend a dirt bike to anyone. They are super fun and mostly safe:) I love the fact that I can take it anywhere in the mountains, on the beach, through the back alleys, on the freeway, off road... it's just amazing!!! Don't know if you have checked out the pictures but some day you have to come up to SB and check out the tops of the mountains!!! It will take your breath away:) "especially if you fly right off the cliff":) JK [well, it would but thats not what I'm talking about]
Word the the wise, if you get a 600cc respect it, it has lots of power:)

I've really started to get into swimming... For the first time I swam all the way out to the buoy and back, its about a half mile swim:) You feel so buff after you are done!!! I think it uses every muscle l in your body. It's so cool though!!! I never thought I'd enjoy swimming but in the ocean, you can't beat it. I'm going to try to get up to a 2 mile swim before next summer:) I also tried "Skim Boarding" the other day and I stink at it:) It's really fun but it's so hard:( I think I bit the dust about, hummmm, a billion times:) Got a little banged up but it was worth it:) So you have this little board made out of wood and you wait till the water starts to wash back into the ocean, then you run out, jump on your board and skim across the top of the water, pretty cool!!! I saw some expert people doing it once and they actually made it look fun:)

Crystal broke her leg the other day...Ok... it's not totally broken but it might as well be, she can barley walk:) The doc put it in a splint and said she was going to have to have surgery...NOT COOL!!! Especially right before the tour. I have been chauffeuring her around SB and running lots of errands for her. Poor Crystal:(

Well that an update on my life:) Thanks for taking the time to read it:)

Paul

2008-07-17T01:03:00.000-07:00

Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
Habakkuk 3:17-19

-Consider It All Joy-

2008-07-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

This verse seems so easy to practice when life is going well and the sea is calm. When I was a child it was easy to wake up every morning and trust that everything was going to be okay, but as I have grown up, the waves have begun to build and slam against the boat, threatening to wash me over.

I know, through scripture, that Christ is the only one who can calm the storm to a whisper, but in my heart I find myself doubting. I want to trust the Lord in everything but when I see the wave swelling up I begin to doubt.

James continues to say... But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

I don't want to be this man... Pray for me that I praise the Lord in His leading, regardless of my understanding for He is able. Pray that I keep my eyes stayed on Jesus, resting always in Him. Pray that I consider it all joy through these times of trial.

Thanks so much for your prayers.

In Christ,
Paul

It's 7am... Lord willing, I'll be back by 1pm:)

2008-07-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

I'm headed out to find a very large dam in the first valley back beyond the mountains to the east. I'll be taking Gibraltar all the way to the top of the first mountains. The dam sits to the north of the road way down in the valley. I don't know exactly what roads I will be taking to get the rest of the way but that is the direction ill be heading. If in the case my bike were to crash and remain unusable (and I live) I'll head back west using the roads, so look for me there. I do have a backpack of power bars lots of water a first aid kit, my cell phone and beef jerky:) So in the case of a disaster I should be ok for a few days.

I think everything will be fine I just thought I'd let you all know just in case. I should be back by 1pm its 7am right now:) If im not back by night fall, call search and rescue:) Don't worry though it should be fine:)

Alright everyone I'm out:) Pray all goes well, Ill let you know when I return.

Paul

-On Top Of World-

2008-07-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

Today was so amazing!!! I woke up this morning to find my windows covered with a thick fog. So I packed up, jumped on my dirt bike and headed out to find the top of the world. Found a road named Gibraltar that leads far back into the mountains of Monicieto. After a rather long ride along the cliffs, I finally broke through the clouds into the sun. I road a bit further and then turned my bike around to see a breathtaking view. I could see the tips of the mountains just peeking through the clouds and out past their tips I saw a thick white blanket covering the sky as far as my eyes could see. What an amazing creator!!! Some day you will have to come to SB, ride on the back and experience it for yourself:)

Santa Barbara - On Fire!!!

2008-07-06T19:05:00.000-07:00

I was just on FOX NEWS reading their front page post.... Fires in SB!!! I've been home for the 4th but will be flying back to SB early Tuesday morning. I called Crystal and she said the airport is still up and running:) I had such a wonderful time being here in KC, I'll miss you all so much. God willing, I'll see you all again in August:)

FOXNEWS.COM
Firefighters on Sunday were given a welcome boost by cooler, damper weather as they battled a vast blaze ravaging Santa Barbara County, but were anxiously watching forecasts that call for a quick return to high, dry temperatures.

"We've got a window here with the humid weather that's really helping us," said Dixie Dies, spokeswoman for the state Incident Management Team. "But we know we're in this for the long haul."

Moist air currents from the ocean cooled temperatures to the high 70s Sunday, helping fire crews keep the four-day-old blaze from spreading. It was less than a third contained Sunday afternoon.

Temperatures are forecast to start climbing Monday, reaching the 90s by Thursday, and the "monsoonal sweeps" -- winds that pick up moisture from the ocean -- are expected to dissipate and the air to dry out,

...

2008-06-28T18:33:00.001-07:00

...

Dirt Bike-Day 2

2008-06-27T10:58:00.000-07:00

Took my dirt bike out again today!!! Lesson #2 went really well:)

This is me just before heading out:)

These self taught lessons are really great because I can yell at the instructor and still be the best student ever:) I learned how to balance the clutch on hills, start and stop at stop signs, wave cars on because I'm going way to slow, and how not to freak out when I hear the gas throttle rev to high:) I was still a bit nervise but did much better:) I even gave myself an A+ today!!! Seeing it was only my second day ever on a dirt bike:) Don't worry though I'm going to be much harder on myself tomorrow:)

Here is a pic of me after the ride:) I made it home safe and sound but am eager to start another lesson tomorrow:)

I took my bicycle down town today though because I still need some practice:

My Life Update

2008-06-27T00:03:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone:)

Sorry for not writing in so long. It seems to get longer and longer between posts. Maybe I lost my inspiration...don't know:)

Anyway life has been going well, I can't complain. In the times when I think my life stinks I think of all these homeless people that are downtown and realize haw much God has really blessed. Life has been a bit lonely not many people to hang out with. Although I have to say, hanging out by yourself isn't so bad once you forget what it was like before:) More time for adventure, exploring, writing, exercising, working, spending time in the Word and just thinking:)

DIRT-BIKE UPDATE

So as you all know I bought a dirt bike and it's a beast! I took it out for the first time today and I have to say, it was rather scary!

I wrote to a friend this afternoon after getting back from my first ride ever on a dirt bike...

"WOW!!! I'm Back:)

I don't know about this bike...I almost killed myself twice in one day!!! Well the first incident may not have killed me but could have gotten hurt.

Incident 1: I was at a dead stop and started pulling out up this hill, the bike has a hand clutch and a really touchy throttle, so I hit the throttle and let go of the clutch, the bike flew out from underneath me, popped a wheely and went flipping down the road in front of me:) LOL ...after the bike stopped flipping out and died I started laughing. Partly because I was really scared and partly because it looked really funny:)

Incident 2: Nothing happened to me on this one but after the first incident, I was a bit freaked out about starting real fast. So I slowly crept out onto this 2 lain highway and their was a car coming really fast down the lane so I gunned it and barely made it!!! That freaked me out a bit:)

The rest of the time was really quite nice...I took it out for about two hours around the mountains of Montecito. Once you get going and start cruising around the hills its pretty fun:) I'm still a bit scared to bring it into town. I think I'll wait a while on that one:)

Anyway I'm back and alive:) Praise The Lord:)"

OUR TOUR

I am truly sorry about not posting about this sooner. Our tour has been postponed and doesn't start till the end of July. We leave July 29 and finish some time in September.

Here are the dates:

07/29/08 Houston, TX
07/30/08 Austin, TX
07/31/08 Dallas, TX
08/03/08 Phoenix, AZ
08/04/08 San Diego
08/06/08 Los Angeles, CA
08/07/08 Santa Barbara, CA
08/11/08 San Francisco, CA
08/13/08 Salt Lake City, UT
08/14/08 Denver, CO
08/18/08 Kansas City, KS :)
08/19/08 Chicago, IL
08/21/08 Indianapolis, IN
08/25/08 New York City, NY
08/26/08 Boston, MA
08/28/08 Washington DC
09/02/08 Charlotte, NC
09/03/08 Charleston, SC
09/04/08 Orlando, FL
09/08/08 Atlanta, GA
09/09/08 Nashville, TN

So again, if you're still interested in getting together you can contact me some how:) I won't be able to come to you because of the time constraints and not having a car. We will be on a very large bus, should be pretty cool:) Shoot me an e-mail or call if you live close to one of these cities. paulrogers.ca@gmail.com (816) 695-7543

I was going to write more but it's really late:) You never know what you might type when you are half asleep:)

Goodnight all:) Take care and God bless:)

Miss you all so much,
Paul

JUST BOUGHT A DIRT BIKE

2008-06-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Well here it is everyone:) The scariest thing I've ever bought!!!

I just bought the bike last night but can't ride it till I get my permit. I don't think I really thought out the size of the bike...its really big!!! It's a "Honda 600" and has a lot of kick.

Just pray I don't cut my leg off, fall and get brain damaged, become paralyzed, or whatever.

Active Service

2008-06-20T08:41:00.001-07:00

2 Timothy 2:4
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

Matthew

2008-06-18T20:08:00.001-07:00

I woke up early this morning and started listening to the book of Matthew. I listened to chapter 2 -8 and its so good. As I listened I just wanted to start posting everything. Matthew is so rich with encouragement and conviction. Here are some of the things that stuck out.

Matthew 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;
nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Christ has made us a light in this dark world of sin and deception. Live to His glory for many are watching. In every moment of every day, Christ through you, let your light shine before men.

Matthew 7-11
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. "Or what man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? "Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he?
"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him.

This was encouraging to me, to know that when we ask of God, as His children, His intent is never to give us something bad but always something good. To know that He loves us dearly and will provide what is best in His timing.

Matthew 7: 24-27
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. "And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock."Everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. "The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell--and great was its fall."

May we act on these precious words of Christ, for as we do we build on a firm foundation that can not be washed away:) Praise His name!!!

Matthew 8:24-27
And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep.
And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing!" He said to them, "Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?" Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm. The men were amazed, and said, "What kind of a man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?"

I feel the same way sometimes... When the storms of life begin to rage and their giant waves threaten to smash me into the rocks, my first reaction is to panic. I think God looks down at me and says the same thing he said to His disciples, Why are you afraid Paul, you of little faith?

-What's Happening-

2008-06-15T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,
Sorry for not writing more lately... I've not really been in the writing mood.

What has happened?

1. Our tour has officially been pushed back since 2 weeks ago. We set out in late July some time and finish early September. Ill post the new dates as soon as I can. I know I'll be in KC on the 15 of Aug:)

2. I'm looking for a permanent place of residence, which isn't easy. Everything is so expensive out here... for a 600 sq ft pad, its around $1000 a month. So pray about that, that God provides a place in His timing. Room mates may be an option but I'm praying God gives me my own place so that you all can come visit and stay over:) God knows:)

3. It's fathers day today:) I called my dad and wished him a good one:) He is a great guy:) I never knew how much I appreciated my dad until now. Always taking the time to teach us over and over again about how important it is to be committed to the Lord. I remember when I was younger, he would wake the boys up at 4am every morning and go through Proverbs with us. When I was a kid I just thought it was fun, but now after moving out and being on my own these last few months, those verses have meant so much to me and have pushed me on in my walk with the Lord.

4. DJ and Crystal will both be gone this next week due to business, so I'll be holding down the fort till next Sunday.

5. The "Tour Video Opener" should be pretty cool... We are going to try a new little editing technique which should be fun. I'm not promising anything though:)

6. I busted my knee on some rocks yesterday while carrying my board back to the rental shop:( The board looks like a surf board but its not. It's really long and all you do is stand up on it and paddle out around the ocean. You can ride the waves if you want but it's not really meant for that. So after i finished my ocean adventure on the board, I brought it back to the beach, picked it up and started carrying it over some big rocks when a gust of wind came from behind, caught the board and threw me straight into these rocks:) My knee was all bloody and gross:) It's hard to walk up and down stairs now:(

7. After my beach adventures, I headed to "Jack In A Box" (a small fast food place) picked up some food to go, rolled down the windows, slid back the moon roof, turned on some good tunes and went driving in the back hills/mountains of Montecito.... If you are from KS they are Mountains, if you are from CO they are hills:)... It's so peaceful back there in the mountains. It reminds me of back home when driving out to the country. It was so calm and quiet, slightly cool with a nice breeze, and the view , the view was to die for:) My sister Anna and I would go driving for hours on end and get lost in the planes of Kansas:) Loved those times:) That's what it reminded me of yesterday, except I was all alone:( That's ok, it was still fun:)

8. Christine and Sherilyn Pramann , will be visiting this week:) Super excited about that!!! We will get to spend some time in SB and then have some dinner at her aunt's house:) Looking forward to that:)

9. I need to go shopping for food tonight or cut off my right leg and eat it:) I've been so lazy about the food thing, I keep going out to eat but I really shouldn't. I know it will kill me if I continue:)

10. I'm excited to see what God has down the road in life...

Continue to pray for me, that I stay committed to the Lord.

~Joy in Life~

2008-06-06T14:02:00.000-07:00

~Who determines our attitude in this vapor of life that God has given us? Is it Christ, or is it us? Many times I find myself discouraged with the process of His plan. Sometimes I wonder if I have trained myself to only see Christ in the seemingly good things that happen but choose to forget Him in what the world deems bad. Don't allow the joy of life and the wonder of His mighty hand to go unnoticed during the hard times, but rather find joy in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30
Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest."Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS."For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

~When you wake up tomorrow, know that His compassion's never fail for they are new every morning. Praise Him through these times, for He is continually faithful:) In every moment look to Him, always being renewed with His unfailing strength. Allow the light of Christ's love to burst through in every moment, toward every person. Live to the glory of God's Son Jesus Christ, for only in Him do we find joy inexpressible.

"May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing."

~Isaiah 40:31~
Paul

~New Every Morning~

2008-06-04T10:33:00.001-07:00

Lamentations 3 :21-24

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

~Isaiah 40:31~

2008-06-04T10:33:00.000-07:00

Who can know the depths of God?

2008-06-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

Romans 8: 26-28
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

1 Corinthians 2: 10-11
…for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God.

What an amazing truth… The same Spirit that searches the depths of God not only abides within us but also intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words and causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Job 11: 7-9
Can you discover the depths of God? Can you discover the limits of the Almighty? They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth And broader than the sea.

Trust Him, because He knows...

Philippians 4: 6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

My Song List:)

2008-05-31T02:05:00.001-07:00

I'm up late because I don't have to work tomorrow:) I love the weekend!!!

Just got done swimming... I know don't say it:) I look amazing... JK

Ok, so I uploaded a picture of my play list on iTunes... As you know, I'm not a music guy but I have to say that I am pretty proud of myself for getting quite an extensive song list:) ... Well extensive to me:) I know you all are dying to copy it!!!

Enjoy:)

Jet Skiing In The Ocean!!! Totally Amazing!!!

2008-05-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, Jeremy (another photographers husband) and I went and rented 2 Jet Skis for an hour. It was amazing!!! Once we got out past the main harbor we took off flying across the massive waves. Seeing that I had never ridden before I was a bit apprehensive at first about hitting the throttle and pushing it to it's full speed. These waves really had a tendency to kind of sneak up on you. I'd say for the first 15 minutes I only pushed to about 35 mph, which seemed really fast. After becoming more comfortable with the Jet Ski, I couldn't go fast enough:) It was a blast!!! I think they top out at around 55/60 mph. It was so crazy... I'm flying along and all of the sudden you see this major dip in the water directly in front of you. At that speed you don't even have time to think, or slow down, or anything. When I hit my first wave and went airborne I felt like James Bond (Well, Almost:). Hitting those waves for the first time really gets the heart going, once you go airborne you really want to do it again. As we are zipping around, every once in a while we would see these little Sea Lions fly up out of the water and then dive back in (kind of cool) although I hate to hit one. Ok so I'm way out off the shore line and I see this really large freight boat headed out of the harbor. So I get this crazy Idea that I should go and jump it's wake... Not a good idea!!! I whip around and start heading in the direction of the boat. I passed it once to see how large the waves were and then spun around again placing myself perpendicular to its wake. (I don't think I was thinking at this point:) I gunned it towards these massive waves that sank deep into the ocean...just before i flew over the crest of the wake I thought to myself, "maybe this isn't such a great idea", but it was too late, I was flying through the air. My heart sank, my (delightful, I'm having so much fun) smile disappeared and for the first time I was really scared. I felt like a bird looking down on the earth below watching all the little people...and then crash!!! I slammed into the water, jolted forward and my hand came off the throttle, which greatly decreased my forward motion and everything was calm again. I made it and as far as I could tell, (unless heaven is a big blue ocean) I didn't die:) I was really happy about that:) I race Jeremy about 1/2 mile across the bay, did some really cool spins, lead Free Willy out to freedom in the ocean...no...JK. There is really not much else to talk about that really compares to "THE JUMP" so I'll stop but it was really fun. If you all ever come out, we have to do it again:)!!! It's Crazy Exciting!!!

I have some video footage of it but won't be able to put it up for a few days due to being very busy at the moment.

Alright~ everyone, God bless and have a wonderful day.

Paul

Random!!!

2008-05-29T09:35:00.000-07:00

I'm so bummed.... I can't put that little squiggly line in my posts:( For some reason google blogger changes it to a straight line. Sometimes it's needed in a post but whatever. I thought I'd be random and let you know:)

-A Straight Path-

2008-05-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

I don't know that I could have read something more encouraging this morning, then Psalm 103 . "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us." May we truly fear the Lord, honoring him in everything and through everything. I was talking to my mom the other day and she was talking about when we do what's right for man, life gets discouraging and hopeless but when we commit our selves to The Living God and serve Him, it changes everything. Now, no mater what life throws our way, we know that God is with us and from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear Him. Do all things to the glory of God, the same God who has established his throne in heaven, and who's kingdom rules over all. Not over some things but everything, continue to trust, continue to live as an example (Christ through you). Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Psalm 103

Of David.

1 Praise the LORD, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits-

3 who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,

4 who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,

5 who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:

8 The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

9 He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16 the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.

17 But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD's love is with those who fear him,
and his righteousness with their children's children-

18 with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.

19 The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

20 Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.

21 Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.

22 Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.

2008-05-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Is eating and will blog about everything later:)

LOOKING BACK

2008-05-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

It's always good to read back and remember what you learned in scripture. Seems like life goes in a big cycle, always trying to teach the same lesson again and again. I hate obeying sometimes but even more then that, I hate waiting:) My flesh hates waiting on the Lord but I know it's right. Sometimes I get so frustrated inside and don't even want to talk to Christ in prayer because it seems that He is no longer listening. I know its not true, but it sure feels like it sometimes. Anyway I got to reading this and was encouraged. When you are at a point where you think He isn't there or doesn't care He does. He cares very, very much:) TRUST!!! For only God can defeat a giant:)~

This post was from Monday, March 17, 2008 at 12:53pm

-DEPENDANCE-
Lately I've felt like life was moving in a direction opposite of what I want, crawling along with no resolve. No answers to many questions I have stored in my little brain. Questions that, if dwelt upon to long, can drive me crazy and begin consuming every spare moment of thought only to render an attitude of hate and distain. An attitude of self dependance accompanied by its dear friend worry, rather then a dependance on the Lord. "Why Lord" I ask, "do you hold back answers to questions that are rightfully due me? Why are things not resolved now? Life wont wait forever Lord." And yet when I find myself feeling justified in my hate the Lord Jesus Christ comes along side me and gently reminds me of His guiding hand in my life. Showing through scriptures that all things are best in His timing and to wait. "Wait Lord?" I ask "Yes" says the Lord... "and I will give you a new strength, so that you may mount up with wings like eagles and sore above the heavens. When you run for Me Paul, run in My strength which does not tire. Trust in me, meditate on my Word and you will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever you do you will prosper, for I am with you."

Isaiah 40: 11-14
Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, In His arm He will gather the lambs And carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, And calculated the dust of the earth by the measure, And weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, Or as His counselor has informed Him? With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge and informed Him of the way of understanding?

Isaiah 40: 25-26...To whom then will you liken Me That I would be his equal?" says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number,He calls them all by name...

Isaiah 40:31 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles,They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Psalm 23: 1-3 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Pray for me that I continue to seek the Lord in all things and that I wait patiently for all the things He has in store.

MY TRIP TO LA!!!

2008-05-27T01:27:00.001-07:00

The last two days have really been a trip!!! DJ and I left for LA early Saturday morning for a photo shoot at a horse race in LA. I took DJ to the track, dropped him off and went shopping for nice pants, a shirt, belt and shoos. I had to buy them because I left all my nice dress cloths at home. So I did that, talked to Dayna for an hour on the phone, drove to the LAX AIRPORT to get some airplane footage (couldn't find a good place to shoot them so I skipped it) blo,blo, blo..... Well 4:30pm rolled around and DJ called to say that he was done shooting, so I went to pick him up. After picking him up we punched in PASADENA CALIFORNIA and hit the road. On our way down he was telling me about the race and how this horse busted out of the gate charged ahead and stayed ahead the entire race, but as it rounded the last turn to the finish line, it's front leg snapped and it crashed into the ground. He said the horse behind ran straight into the fallen horse and both jockeys went flying. Apparently when a horse breaks its leg they have to kill it, so a team of guys ran out onto the field, put up some white sheets and killed it. They loaded it up on a cart and away it went. Crazy!!! After that we checked into a hotel dropped our stuff off in the room and headed out to down town Pasadena to meet up with Rodeolo Arpia. (a very well known spanish wedding photographer) We ate dinner while Rudy told us his life story. (which is just crazy) In a nut shell He came to the us with nothing but $30 in his pocket, no friends nothing. He worked very hard and is now a very successful wedding photographer. Great Story!!!

The next day came and we got ready for the wedding. The wedding was being held at Santa Anita Park. Santa Anita Park is this amazing race track that sits right outside the mountains here in Pasadena. It was cool, a little depressing though:) I think the groom cared more about the place then he did his bride. They took pictures before the wedding and when he saw her for the first time he didn't even care. He just started talking about the track and the horses and all that....He barely gave her a hug and didn't kiss her... I couldn't believe it!!! This guy is the vet for one of the best horse trainers in the world. They own their own 747 for transporting the horses around the world. They send all the horses to Santa Barbara, where they have exercise pools, spa treatments and a lot of other ridicules stuff. They cost like, 5 million dollars each and half a million to breed!!! CRAZY!!!

Anyway at the wedding, I met this guy named Pepe Valencia...

I sat at his table with he, his wife and two kids. Well come to find out this guy is no fly by night. He is a 3D graphic artist with quite an extensive resume. He joined Sony Pictures Imageworks in 1996 where he served as Animation Supervisor on “The Aviator”, “Peter Pan”, and “Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle”. Other credits include “Surf’s Up”, “Open Season”, “Early Bloomer”, “Stuart Little 2” (winner of the VES Award for Best Character Animation in an Animated Film), “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone”, the Academy Award(R) nominated “Hollow Man”, the Academy Award nominated “Stuart Little”, “Godzilla” and the Academy Award nominated “Starship Troopers”. He did Director’s layout with Robert Zemeckis on “The Polar Express” , Gil Kenan on “Monster House” and the opening sequence of “Superman” with Brian Singer. He is currently working on next Robert Zemeckis film “Beowulf”. Before joining Imageworks, he worked at Cinesite as a Technical Director on “Space Jam” and at a number of smaller production houses. He served as a member of the Animated Short Films jury for the 2001 ASIFA Annie Awards and has written articles for Cinevideo 20 and Campana. This guy was amazing!!! We talked all night about what he does... He gave me his e-mail address and told me to e-mail him. I told him if he was ever n KC to stop in for dinner. He and His wife said they would love too. Anyway after the wedding we headed up to LA and crashed at Gary Fong's condo. Woke up this morning met with Jeff (a marketer) and then came home...

OK im off to bed it's late:)

Night~

-EVENTFUL WEEK-

2008-05-24T19:06:00.000-07:00

Well its been a very eventful week!!!

-Highlights-

1. 24 hour fitness!!!
I saw my arms deflating so I decided to renew my membership. Worked out for about an hour Monday but haven't had a chance to get back and keep on.

2. My Bike light:(
I wish I had a more exciting story but it's kind of lame. I ran into Borders to grab a book for editing in Motion. I sat down and studied till it got dark. Seeing that is was getting late I decided to truck it home...so I start biking home and went to turn on my light because I couldn't see the road and it wasn't there. I wasn't happy:) I was turning the corner and got hit by a car and died:( JK I didn't die:) I made it home safe.

3. Got an Office!!!
I moved into a new office right off State Street in down town Santa Barbara and totally love the place!!! Its location is inside a building that was built back in the day...like 50 years ago. It's a small, one room office, on the bottom floor, fully furnished and very homey/modern. I really really like it!!! Praise the Lord:)

4. The beach:(
I didn't get to go to the beach this week, oh well:)

5. A letter from my mom:)
I got a letter from my mom this week. [She is so great:)] She talked about how King Saul listened to the advice of man and not God. How he compromised in his obedience to God by saving the best of what God wholly condemned. 1 Samuel 15- you should read it. "Partial obedience is total disobedience."

6. Played Soccer this week!!!
I haven't been able to play soccer for some time due to the move across the country. DJ popped in while I was editing on Monday and asked if I would be interested in playing soccer. I said "no" and told him that I was going to edit more cus I love it so much. No JK... Dude I jumped up, ran bought some cleats and left with him to play soccer. I played Monday and Wednesday...Love, Love soccer!!!

7. ~The Moon's Reflection~
It was an amazing sight!!! The house I'm staying in right now looks out over all of Santa Barbara and the ocean beyond. The Moon was so bright the other night. Its shine across the water looked like a long lit runway on black glass. Very Cool!!!

-Found This Encouraging-

2008-05-23T23:29:00.000-07:00

Here are some of the verses I read this morning that I found encouraging. They are not in any particular order and may not even tie together but I like them.

Philippians 1:8-11
For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1 Corinthians 13:1-7
If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails...

Reading this made me think of how sometimes it seems that we have given all to the Lord and yet still hold a small shadow of hate/dislike towards certain people. God says, even if we have all that He talks about above and not love we have nothing. Look to Christ to love those around you. Even though they may have wronged you...still love them.

My brother Mark once said "You love God as much as the person you hate the most". Think about it...

I have to go edit....

Love is impossible apart from Christ so walk in Him:)

If you represent a yellow dot on my map ... POST!!!

2008-05-21T01:15:00.000-07:00

This is to everyone who may run across my blog. This is not a self-centered thing, I just think it would be cool to see who is checking out the blog.

Even if you never come back to look at it again, please post where you are from:) I just got this new little map thing that pin points whoever logs on from around the world. I always get so excited to get on and see more little dots pop up...what stinks is, I can't respond or know who you are. Some of you may like to keep it that way and thats fine, but for the rest, I would love to look at your posts and keep in touch.

Can't wait to meet you!!!

Paul

THE CAR I MAY BUY

2008-05-19T13:42:00.000-07:00

This is the Car I might buy... waiting for them to drop the price a little bit:)

OVER 20 MILES!

2008-05-17T17:46:00.001-07:00

Well come to find out, you can get a ticket for riding at night without lights. (I didn't learn this from experience, don't worry) (although I'm sure you wouldn't have been shocked if I had) so I bought a front light, back light, a small pouch for my wallet keys..., water bottle and tools to fix my flat. Fixed the flat last night and went for a little ride. Well, I got lost:) I biked I'd say about 9 miles partly because I got lost on the back side of the mountain in the middle of the night and had no clue as to where to go. Don't worry I made it home alive and in one piece;)

Today

I just got back from another bike ride today that was over 20 miles:b Dude it was a killer... As you can see on the map it was quite a ways. I have to admit the way down was fairly easy because I live on the side of a mountain and it was all pretty much down hill. But the way back!!! That was a killer. It's really hot out too... I was gone for 5 hours and biked about 3 1/2 of that 5. I also went to the beach, swam in the ocean, went for a small hike along the cliff, and went and bought some shirts before heading home.

Crazy Day!!!

P.S.
I saw the craziest thing today! I was walking back to my bike along the beach and started to hear what sounded like an engine roar. I turned to look and saw a "WW2 P-51 Mustang" flying about 50 feet off the water and about 40 yards off the coast line. To see it zip along the cliffs like that was the coolest thing. I have to get one:) After looking it up, I found out it was "The Best Fighter of WWII". I thought you ming want to know That:) I didn't have my camera on me so I posted a picture I found on the e-net:)

UGLY ENOUGH AS IS:)

2008-05-15T23:32:00.001-07:00

Ok... DJ has some friends over to cook out, you know with a fire, hot dogs, chips, sweet potato, pop, you know everything:) So we are having a good old time, talking, laughing, you know just kicken back doing whatever. Dinner finishes and the marshmallows get pulled out, SMORE TIME!!! We are all roasting our marshmallows on hanger wire, trying to get them to that nice, crisp, brow color, you know just before they catch fire. Well... mine catches fire... so i swing it up to blow it out and it hits me straight in the face while on fire. It stuck to my face and dude, it hurt so bad!!! I have really small blisters now on the right outside of my mouth. Hope it doesn't scar. I'm ugly enough as it is, I don't need a scar:) I'll take a picture tomorrow and give you an update.

Ok, i'm off to bed... Keep praying for me, I need it:)

Thanks for reading:)
Paul

P.S.
I saw the Big Dipper tonight while sitting out talking with the others. Reminds me of back home:) The sky is the only thing that looks same as it does back home. I miss you all so much:) Lord willing, I'll see you soon.

Save the date!!! I'll see you soon:)

2008-05-15T00:58:00.000-07:00

Ok:) Here it is!!!

These are the dates and the cities I will be in during the tour. If you are in any of these cities and we both have the time to meet, lets do either breakfast, lunch or dinner. Even if we just saw each other, that would rock too. I know touring the country doesn't happen very many times in a life time so it would really be fun to meet up with as many friends as possible. Plus I'll blog about it!!! How cool is that:) JK

OK post and let me know.

Whoever you are, I'd love to see you again:)

7/1 Houston, TX
7/2 Dallas, TX
7/3 Austin, TX
7/6 Phoenix, AZ
7/7 San Diego, CA
7/9 LA, CA
7/10 Santa Barbara, CA
7/13 San Francisco, CA
7/16 Salt Lake City, UT
7/17 Denver, CO
7/21 Kansas City, KS
7/22 Chicago, IL
7/24 Indianapolis, IN
7/28 New York City, NY
7/29 Boston, MA
7/31 Washington DC
8/4 Charolette, NC
8/5 Charleston, SC
8/7 Orlando, FL
8/11 Atlanta, GA
8/12 Nashville, TN

Just Interviewed Checco Varese!!!

2008-05-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

I just got done interviewing Checco Varese "Director of Photography" for Kevin Costner.

He has been renting DJ's house out for the last two weeks with his wife and child. He is full blood Italian, which I though was really cool. I interviewed him on how much he loved the house and how it has a wonderful location.... blo,blo blo... that was cool... But what was really cool, is that after the interview, he asked me if I would shoot him an e-mail and then asked me if I would be interested in working with him sometime on a film down the road. I told him I would make his coffee if he wanted! I would have to make sure the film was clean and everything but what a cool opportunity:)

He and his wife just finished the film "Under The Same Moon" http://www.foxsearchlight.com/underthesamemoon/. Looks like it could be a good film.

Well so far that's the only exciting news of the day :)

-Who's Hair Is Longer- YOU VOTE!!!

2008-05-13T22:08:00.001-07:00

This picture is for Caleb (MY LITTLE BROTHER) to show him that my hair is way, way, longer then his. I mean come on, Im drinking protein and he is just sitting on his hands. My hair is way longer:)

You tell me who's hair is longer:)

PICK ME;)

-BACK TO SANTA BARBARA-

2008-05-13T10:27:00.000-07:00

I have been living at Jessica Claire's house for the past few weeks due to no place to stay in Santa Barbara at the moment (Long Story). Jessica was gone and offered her house for me to stay in while being away form SB. It's been a blast here!!! Love this place:) Thanks Jess:) I'm headed back to SB here in a few hours but first we have to stop into LA to pick up some furniture and other random stuff. Pray we get it all in the car and the trip goes well:) As much as I love the OC I can't wait to get back to SB...We have some new videos to shoot that I'm pretty excited about. I'm also pretty excited about the fact that the beach is once again right down the street:)

-BAD NEWS-
My bike tire was punctured by a thorn and popped:( No biking today or tomorrow...but don't worry I'll have it fixed in no time:) So to all you cars out there, you will still have your chance to run me over:)

P.S.

I found this really encouraging this morning... Christ through you, "be holy in all that you do".
1 Peter 1:13-15
Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy.

Lunch With Mark and Candice Brooke

2008-05-12T15:58:00.001-07:00

Just went out to lunch with Mark and his wife Candice -markbrooke.net-
They are two brand new yet very successful wedding photographers here in Orange County CA. They booked 26 wedding in their first year of business... THAT'S A LOT OF WEDDINGS!!! They are an amazing couple with an incredible vision for business... and the bonus is, they are super fun to be around. Due to their success in the, wedding photography industry, they are currently pursuing many amazing entrepreneurial opportunities that have arisen.

Lunch was great!!! We talked about business, life, the future, and just random crazy stuff. You have nothing to loose with Ideas, only something to gain, so its always fun throwing them around.

If you guys are reading this, I had great time, we should totally hangout again in SB:)

God bless,
Paul

See You Soon!!!

2008-05-10T00:04:00.001-07:00

David Jay (my employer) (davidjay.com), is doing a product promotion tour across the country!!! We are pushing the amazing new product, SHOWIT SITES (showitsites.com). I'm traveling along as his videographer and editor. Brett (one of the programers) Crystal (the personal assistant) Jasmine Star (another photographer) and her husband JD will also be coming on the trip. We will be traveling to over 30 cities across the United States in a span of 6 weeks.

I don't know what cities we will be hitting yet but I'll post a schedule as soon as it becomes available. I would love to hook up with you guys if you have the time. Don't know how much time I'll have, but even if it's just lunch, that would rock:)

Stoked to meet up!!!
Paul

Is Christ Enough? It's not finished... Sorry:) It's 4am Part 1

2008-05-05T04:03:00.000-07:00

I'm writing this in regards to a conversation I had with a friend a while ago. Due to the constraints of time our conversation was never finished, so I said that I would post it:)

I know that many of you who may read this post have already done your own research into the subject and would encourage you to add further clarification to what I may get wrong or miss. To those of you who have not looked into the matter please do. Not that you would, but just in case, don't just take my word for it. Rather, through the study of the living word of God, with full confidence in His ability to communicate what is true through His word, search for yourself the answer to this subject that some call heresy. May we as the body of Christ be as the Bereans in Acts 17:11 "Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was True." This is going to contain a lot of scripture but bare with me and hopefully it will all make sense in the end, if I don't butcher it:)

Is the Lord Jesus Christ enough?

Has God, through His Word, The Holy Spirit and the fellowship of the saints "given us all that we need to live the christian life?

HIS WORD
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Romans 15:4-6
For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:19-21
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
1 Thessalonians 1:5
...for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction...

ROMANS 8:8-17
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

Acts 15:12
All the people kept silent, and they were listening to Barnabas and Paul as they were relating what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.

There are many more verses that talk about God working through us these were just a few. Note that even Jesus Christ who was God as man gave up is right as God and allowed the Holy Spirt to work through Him.

Philippians 2:5-7
Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men....

Acts 2:22
"Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know--

It is not by our own power that we live the christian life but rather it is Christ through us.

Colossians 1:27
to whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

FELLOWSHIP OF THE SAINTS
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Hebrews 3:13
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.

Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

WHO DO WE TURN TO?
When their are troubles in our life, whatever they may be, who do we turn to?

Galatians 1:6-10
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed!For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

Is Christian Psychology (so called) God's design, or is it a different gospel which is really not another but rather a wolf in sheep's clothing that distorts the Gospel of Christ?

Col. 2:8
Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ

1 Tim. 6:20,21.
O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith.

1 Corinthians 3:11
For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:6-10
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority...

Matthew 7:15-19
Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. "You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? "So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire

Ephesians 4:18
So this I say, and affirm together with the Lord, (AP)that you walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind,being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart;

1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

This is far from a complete thought... So sorry... It's 4am and I'm about to fall over:) I really wanted to get this up before Monday. This week is going to be really busy but I'll try to finish the thought as soon as I can. Please add your thoughts and comments if you get through it all. I guess if you are reading this part you got though it:)

Thanks and Goodnight:)

-The Lord GOD Is My Strength-

2008-04-29T00:48:00.000-07:00

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds' feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.

I found this encouraging.

I bought a BIKE!!!

2008-04-29T00:46:00.000-07:00

I bought the bike yesterday but had to pick it up today. Crystal drove me down town to the bike shop and I told her that I would just ride the bike home.... Wow!!! Love the bike but when you truck up the side of a mountain after not being on a bike for years it really gets you. When I got home my legs were like jello:b

I'm really excited about it though... I think It offer really good exercise.

2008-04-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!!! Thanks so much for coming tonight to say goodbye, it was a ton of fun. You all make me feel loved:) No seriously, it really meant a lot for you all to come and see me off. Hopefully I'll see some of you in CA in the near future:)

Finish up school, work if you must and have a wonderful summer!!! Keep me in your prayers, I'll need it:)

God Bless and again, thanks for everything,
Paul

2008-04-18T14:30:00.001-07:00

What a crazy process!!! My birthday is coming up tomorrow:) Yeah!!! Well my Drivers License was going to expire tomorrow... So yesterday I went in with Sarah (My Sister) sat in line forever.... then we found out we were in the wrong line. Next line.... waiting... waiting... I looked at Sarah, "good thing I brought my passport" didn't think I would need it but just in case. Almost up to the counter and I see a little sign no debit cards, cash or check only!!! AAAAAH!!! I didn't have cash:( "Well" says Sarah "you can come back tomorrow". We get home and Sarah runs my passport down to my office.

I spent the night at Luke and Dayna's house got up early and left for the DMV with 20 bucks. I get there stand in line, get up to the counter and realize that I don't have my passport with me it's at home.... Run home grab the passport drive back wait in line... FINALLY I get up to the counter renew my license, stand in front of the little blue cloth and take an absolutely awful looking picture... Whatever!!! The good thing is, I don't need to renew it again until 2014. I just feel bad for the cop that has to look at the picture next time I get pulled over:)

FYI... If you are getting your DRIVERS LICENSE renewed, bring your passport or birth certificate, proof of address, cash or check, your old license and a big smile:)

Paul

-Leaving for Santa Barbara California Tuesday April 22-

2008-04-17T10:00:00.000-07:00

Just got a one way ticket to Santa Barbara California:) So God willing, I'm moving on Tuesday April 22.

I'm really excited to go:) I've never lived away from home for more then 3 months, so it will be different but good. My sisters take care of me all the time right now. They are so wonderful, always helpful, always there to talk to when I'm flipping out over something stupid:) Always giving me hugs when we haven't seen each other for more then 5 minutes. I'll really miss them:) My brothers are pretty cool too... Always supportive of everything, encouraging in the Lord and always up for an adventure:) Mark and I went hunting and 4 wheeling the other day!!! We had a blast!!! Caleb and I are room mates and we are always fighting... no jk.. only when I don't clean up my mess:) Caleb and I are like best buds. Joseph and Isaac... What can I say... They are both the MAN!!! I shake there hand every night before crashing and tell them that. Joseph always says "no your the man" and I say "no you are" and he says "okay, yeah I am the man":) Ill miss those little guys:("

LUKE, DAYNA, BRIC and ANNA I'll miss you too... It's been a blast just hanging out spending time at your houses. I really love you guys:) Thanks so much for all your hospitality and friendship:)

My parents are probably the best parents in the world... I admit I'm a bit bias. My parents are two people I've always highly respected. As I have grown in the Lord and in life they have become 2 of my best friends. Always encouraging me to walk in the strength of the Lord, to find my joy and peace in all that He is. Teaching me to always trust in His sufficiency so that when the proud waves of this world come I'll be firmly anchored to the rock, which is Jesus Christ. My dad always tells us that he want's to raise Spirit filled children rather then good children. So that when we go out and they aren't around to guide us in decisions, they can rest in the knowledge that Christ dwells within and if we are fully surrendered to all that He is, we (Christ through us) will make the right call. They have taught me so much through all these young years of my life. Their example of devotion to the Lord has been so encouraging and uplifting. Knowing that we are going to make mistakes they are always there to run to when we need advise.
I love them so much and truly hold them close as true Friends in the LORD.

To all the soccer people that may read this: You guys are so great!!! Tonight was a blast!!! I couldn't have had a better time!!! Hanging out with you all this last year has been so much fun. To see so many people that love the Lord and can get together and play respectful, competitive soccer is truly amazing. I'll miss you all and soccer so much. Play hard and have a good summer:)

Well that's a wrap... Pray for me, that I get everything packed successfully, everything wrapped up on this end and that I don't freak out:) JK... I don't think I will.

God Bless and I'll miss all of you:)

Paul Rogers

-TIMING-

2008-02-14T08:34:00.000-08:00

Philippians 4

Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

So many times I find myself ANXIOUS and wanting rather then content and steadfast in Christ. I want things my way right now, instead of His way in His timing. I thank God for the aggressiveness and "go get it" spunk that He has instilled in me, its the way I work and think but only when backed by Him is it a good thing. I think sometimes I just get so carried away and forget that God is in control. I forget that Christ is my heavenly father and wants what's best for me. All He wants me to do is simply ask, trust, rest in all that He is and wait patiently on Him.
Christ promises that if I would only trust in Him, His peace "the peace of God", which surpasses all comprehension, would guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. What a wonderful God we serve:)

Proverbs 24:16
for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.

At times we are going to fail, fall straight on our face, be battered and beat, all because of our own old, wicked, defiant nature. But wen we do fall our heavenly father is there to pick us up again, enwrap our hand in His only then making it possible for us to once again walk (Christ Through Us) the impossible road He has called us too.

I know that in God's timing all things are perfect but sometimes its hard to trust.

2008-02-01T15:45:00.001-08:00

Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. "Then it shall come about when the LORD your God brings you into the land which He swore to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you, great and splendid cities which you did not build, and houses full of all good things which you did not fill, and hewn cisterns which you did not dig, vineyards and olive trees which you did not plant, and you eat and are satisfied, then watch yourself, that you do not forget the LORD who brought you from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

When I read this I think of how many times God has blessed me beyond what I deserve, giving me all I need and more. But also how easy it is to forget the Lord in prosperity and drift in a direction that is not pleasing to Him. It's a sobering thought to think about how easy it is to forget the Lord in times when He has given us so much. Someone once said "never forget to remember all that the Lord has done in your life" for it is because of Christ that you are blessed. Boast in the name of the Lord who has done it, for He is worthy of our praise.

-LEARN TO REMEMBER-

-IM HOME-

2008-01-31T09:36:00.000-08:00

I made it home safe and sound last night at about 8:30pm. My brother Mark and his friend Bobby picked me up at the airport and took me to Starbucks where most of my sisters and my wonderful cousin Nikki were waiting. We all sat down swapped stories and talked about life. I love my family they are all so wonderful. After Starbucks I went home to see the rest of the fam. That was fun, we all talked ate dinner looked at pictures of my trip and chilled.

It was funny we were in my office looking at my computer and my brother Caleb asked what time it was. So I looked at the computer and it read 9:45pm. Caleb was like "Man!!! thats crazy, it feels so late" So we just kept right on talking. I told Bobby it felt like 1:00am.... well later we found out my computer was still on SB time.... we talked way to late... CRAZY!!

-Coming Home-

2008-01-30T10:20:00.001-08:00

Well my time in SB is almost over:( I fly out of the SB Air port today at 12:45 to AZ and then on to KC.

It has been so amazing meeting some of the most randomly wonderful people from all around the United States, learning about their passion in photography, life, networking and just building friendships. You all at the work shop were a blast to film. I have looked over a lot of the footage and its really good stuff.... can't wait for you all to see the final product.

DJ and Crystal have been a blast to hang out with... they are both super laid back and just fun to be around. We ordered in Chinese last night watched a movie, sat around and talked, laughed, looked at pictures from the weekend and just chilled. It was fun.... GOOD TIMES

Can't wait to get back and see everyone in KC... Always seems like forever when I'm gone but when I get back I feel like I haven't missed a beat:) I smile when I think of KC... I love that its home.... Although I have to say, I'm not really looking forward to the snow but Ill get over it. I miss ~everyone and God willing, Ill see you all soon.

Paul

Amazing Time In SB CA

2008-01-29T15:48:00.000-08:00

I only have a second here cus I have to get back but God has been so good. My time here in CA has really been encouraging and wonderful. I have met some of the coolest people alive and have had many encouraging conversations. Keep praying for me I need it. Today is my last full day before I pack up and head out tomorrow afternoon. Still have a lot of filming yet to do, so pray it all goes well.

God willing Ill be back in KC tomorrow.

Because of Christ,
Paul

I'm off to SB California

2008-01-23T19:33:00.000-08:00

Well everyone, I'm off to Santa Barbara California here in a few hours. My flight leaves at 2:45pm and has a layover in Phoenix till 6:00pm then straight into SB CA. Really looking forward to the warm weather and ocean air. I fly back on the 30th, so just 5 days.

I'm filming an, in house workshop, for David Jay. It should be really amazing from what I hear. Ill try to keep you updated with pictures and short notes when I can. Ill have my little, point and shoot camera, with me this time. Really excited about that!!! Last time I lost it in all the bustle and couldn't take pictures for most of my trip. It really was disappointing because I went to so many new places and met so many new people.

Pray that God grant me success in all my work and that I strive according to His power which mightily works within me.

Because of Him,
Paul

2008-01-14T08:23:00.001-08:00

Matthew 14 28-31
"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"

Reading this made me think of how many times I have prayed "Lord if this is your will then let me walk in it." and so knowing its the Lords will I step out In faith on the promise that its going to be okay. Starting out I keep my gaze fixed on Him trusting that He is capable in keeping his promise. But as I move forward I start to look to the right and left and I realize that Im in the middle of a storm with large waves crashing all around. Forgetting that the only person that keeps me above it all is Christ, I start to worry. Measuring the waves of this life through the eyes of man, knowing that if anyone of them overtakes me, Ill be finished. Overwhelmed by this thought I start to panic, the water breaks beneath me plunging me below its surface. Gasping for air I start to realize that this world has and knows no mercy and will swallow me alive if I so let it. With what seems to be my last breath before I go under I call upon the the Lord Jesus Christ to save me from this ocean of death. And so out of compassion He reaches down into the water takes hold of my hand and pulls me out setting me firmly on top again. "You of little faith" he says "why did you doubt?"

Someone once said "That which is over our head, is already underneath His feet". Trust Him and He will walk with you through the humanly impossible storms.

-Met With Kevin Keith For Lunch-

2008-01-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Just got back from a lunch with Kevin Keith (kevinkeithweddings.com). Kevin wrote me on Facebook last night and after a few wall posts we decided to meet up for lunch and swap stories. He is an amazing wedding photographer here in Kansas City. He heard about me through Sara Tafoya, (The video I did for Sara is the reason I started working for David Jay) Kevin has been following DJ's blog for some time. Me being a nobody in the photography industry, find it really fun to meet with some of DJ's fan base. Seeing the positive impact DJ has had on just some of the photographers in Kansas City has been amazing. Out of all the people I've met that talk about DJ, I find it amazing that his reputation stays very consistent. It's a reputation of really looking out for the interests of others in the industry.

Great Quote-Shakespeare - Henry V

2008-01-08T21:54:00.000-08:00

WESTMORELAND. O that we now had here
But one ten thousand of those men in England
That do no work to-day!

KING. What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin;
If we are mark'd to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more...

...Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man's company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call'd the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam'd,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb'red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

I-Pod Nano

2008-01-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

You're are going to think I'm CRAZY because these things have been out for years now and are owned by most people. I just bought the I-Pod NANO, I only have 5 songs on it but its amazing!!! For some time now I've kinda been out of the whole exercise loop and haven't really had the motivation to get out there and run or workout. So with one last effort to push myself, I went out and bought an I-Pod. I know its crazy but it really does help, I think because it blocks out the sound of my breathing and the repetitive, not interesting smack of my shoes on the pavement. For some reason the the music sets the speed and rhythm of the workout which amazingly pushes me on. I know I'm crazy for posting this but I'm just so excited about it... I love this little I-Pod, can't stop running:)

If you have a favorite song post the name and Ill run to it:)

-Bric & Anna's First House-

2008-01-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

I went up to Princeton Missouri earlier this week with Anna (My little sister) to see the house Bric (her fiance) found for the two of them to live in:) I thought it was a wonderful first house! Bric plans on fixing it up a bit in the next few months before the wedding:) They get married in March! Im so stoked for them!!!

It's The New year!

2008-01-02T16:22:00.000-08:00

So the new year has started:) God has really blessed me in this past year... He not only provided a Job, friends, housing, car, and family, but a true and deeper relationship with His Son, Jesus Christ. A lot happened last year, good things and bad but through it all Christ stayed faithful.

I am very excited about what God has in store for the new year, confident in one thing; That He is God and He cares and holds my time and eternity in His hands.

FEELING SICK

2007-12-31T08:55:00.000-08:00

I'm not feeling the best today:( My throat feels scratchy and has that bad taste in it. You know the one you get before you get really really sick.

It's the 31st today and I'm headed up to Bric and Anna's place to hang out for the new year. It should be fun but not really looking forward to the 3 hour drive.

-WHY DOES GOD MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE-

2007-12-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

I found this passage very encouraging yesterday...

Why does God at times whittle us down to nothing, making it truly impossible for us to cary out His will? Doesn't He know what we need in order to do all that He asks? Here in Judges we see Gideon, least in Manasseh, and youngest in his father's house, asked by the Lord to go and deliver his people from the hand of Midian. Gideon gathers 32,000 men for the fight and God says "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.'' So God whittles the army down from 32,000 to 300 men. God did this for the sole purpose of making them realize that it's not the number that won the battle but the Lord.

When God calls you to do something and dwindles all your resources , don't worry. Learn not to trust in who you are or what you have, but rather in who God is. Not wishing for us to boast in anything but Him and Him alone. He will accomplish His will and He will win every battle that He calls us to fight.

Colossians 1:20
...I labor, Striving according to His power, which mightily works within me.

Judges 7: 1-7 (you should read the whole story)

Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him, rose early and camped beside the spring of Harod; and the camp of Midian was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley. The LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give Midian into their hands, for Israel would become boastful, saying, 'My own power has delivered me.' "Now therefore come, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, 'Whoever is afraid and trembling, let him return and depart from Mount Gilead.'" So 22,000 people returned, but 10,000 remained. Then the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many; bring them down to the water and I will test them for you there. Therefore it shall be that he of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go with you; but everyone of whom I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go." So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "You shall separate everyone who laps the water with his tongue as a dog laps, as well as everyone who kneels to drink." Now the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was 300 men; but all the rest of the people kneeled to drink water. The LORD said to Gideon, "I will deliver you with the 300 men who lapped and will give the Midian

2007-12-28T11:06:00.001-08:00

I'm excited to see what God has in store for the new year.

-New To Blogging-

2007-12-28T08:52:00.000-08:00